chapter 18

“You think I can’t smell the mating on you? Do you know how precious that is? If the rogue were to do anything to hurt your woman, it would send you mad, and as much as I hate your wolf ass, I don’t wish that on anyone. Not to you, not to your pack.”

“Stop,” he said. “I get it. You don’t want the guilt. We need to know if there have been any reported bear attacks within the area. We need to know what we’re walking into.”

“You’ve done enough.”

“Joe, stop. You’re not going anywhere. We’ve got this handled, and when the time is right, you’re going to take over as alpha, or whatever you’re called in your little thing.”

“I don’t have what it takes.”

“Why the hell not?” Caleb asked. “I don’t see a problem with you taking that role. You’ll be a hell of a lot better at it than glowing eyes.”

“No.” Joe shook his head.

“What is this? Someone is going to need to take over once the dust settles. To help any bears left. You’re not going to take that role?”

“Look at me, Caleb. I didn’t stand and fight. I ran. I’m a fucking coward.”

Silence rang out.

He stared at the man, feeling his pain. He didn’t have any affection for this man. In fact, he rather hated him for the trouble he’d already caused. If it wasn’t for Joe, he’d have been able to make love to his woman properly without her going into heat. Instead, everything had been rushed and put him in an awkward place.

His woman.

He wanted to get back to his prize. Not talk business.

“No leader would ever have run. I did. I have no right to help, to take that place.”

“Yes, you ran, but you’ve got time to make up for that now.” He put a hand on Joe’s shoulder. “Help us make this right. Your people, they need you. Don’t let them down now. Help them ensure there’s only one rogue. If that’s the case, I’ll end him.”

Joe’s shoulders slumped.

He turned to his men. “I want you to research. Find out anything about bear attacks within the past couple weeks. We need to know what we’re dealing with. Hopefully, it’s only the one, but I want to be certain before we put down our guards.”

“Why bear attacks?”

“See if there’s any reference to there being more than one. I want to know how many rogues he’s got at his back, and then, we take him out.”

“What are you going to do?” David asked.

“Take care of my mate.”

****

Caleb’s room smelled like him, rich and musky. He was the forest itself.

Bethany’s body was sore but pleasantly sated. She wasn’t the same woman she’d been when he’d carried her into the bedroom. The intense need that had taken over her body and soul had dimmed. She still felt completely alive. Her body hummed with new life.

She felt connected to something bigger. Bethany wasn’t alone anymore.

Walking around the room, she opened up his closet and stepped inside. She closed her eyes, breathing him in. Picking up a shirt, she rubbed the cuff against her face, imagining his hands touching her. Two dates and she was hopelessly in love. Wolfman or not, her heart was taken.

She didn’t know why she felt so safe, just that she did.

Caleb made her feel connected and wanted. She’d never found a place to belong before, but he’d changed all that. Stepping out of the closet, she came to a stop when she saw him standing in the doorway.

“Sorry,” she said. “I wasn’t snooping. Honest.” “Don’t be sorry. What’s mine is yours.”

She was still completely naked and his gaze ran down the length of her. The hunger in his eyes was feral … like a wolf.

Arousal started to flood her body again. His t-shirt clung to his muscles, and she could see his cock pressing tight against his joggers.

When she made to cover herself, he groaned, reaching out to her. “Don’t. You’ve got no reason to hide this body from me. You look stunning.”

“I can’t help it when you keep staring at me like that.” “You’re my woman.”

She smiled. “I think I can become addicted to the way you watch me.”

“Good. I can’t help it. You have no idea what you do to me, Bethany.” She leaned in close, pressing her head to his chest. Whatever he’d done to her made their connection grow tenfold. It was like she’d known him forever.

One of his hands went to her neck, gripping her tightly. She gasped at the explosion of pleasure as he ran his hand down her back, going to the curve of her ass.

“I like you watching me. I like you touching me. I never want you to stop,” she said.

He cupped her ass and walked her back into the bedroom. “Kiss me,” she said.

Caleb took possession of her mouth, devouring her, making all insecurities fade away.

She moaned his name. Bethany whimpered as his grip on her ass tightened. There would be marks tomorrow, but she didn’t care. She loved his intensity.

He growled against her, breaking their kiss to trail his lips to her neck. His tongue flicked over his bite and she cried out, feeling an answering heat sweep over her. Her pussy was so slick. She needed him again. Would she ever have her fill?

“I can smell you,” he said. “Your body’s calling to me.”

Caleb had her on the bed, her legs spread and his tongue stroking between her thighs. She cried out, hungry for his touch, willing to do whatever he wanted just so long as he didn’t stop. He was dirty and unrelenting, and she loved every second of it.

His tongue plundered her pussy repeatedly before drawing up to her clit, circling her sensitive nub.

She gripped the sheet beneath her, her arousal building.

“That feels so good.” She whined and begged for more.

“Come on my tongue, baby. I want to taste you again. Give it to me.”

She didn’t hold back. Not when he growled his demands. Gripping the blanket, she held on for dear life as she relaxed enough to let go. She came hard, the release jolting her entire body.

Caleb continued to lick and tease at her pussy. She melted into the mattress, feeling spineless.

He didn’t stop. His tongue kept on working her pussy, building the heat again.

“Please,” she said.